Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Are bite-sized learning formats your go-to when you need short-form content? Are they ideal for content delivery when time is of the essence?
Bite-sized learning formats are an effective way to deliver quality content and encourage learner retention. These include many popular formats to furnishing information.
Table of contents
What is Bite-sized Learning?
Bite-sized learning is a modern way of learning that focuses on microlearning content chunks. It helps learners work at their own pace and is engaging. This approach increases learner retention as the content is smaller. It makes it easier for learners to absorb key points and concepts.
Bite-sized learning is also ideal for refresher training, where nuggets of information are delivered efficiently. Using the microlearning teaching strategy, you can increase learner engagement. This approach is effective in providing learners with meaningful insights and understanding.
Also, bite-sized modules are short enough to complete quickly on a mobile device or tablet.
It’s now a popular way to teach kids and offer online learning because it uses meaningful content, clear templates, and fits modern learners’ needs.
The old method of long lectures and too much information no longer works for today’s workforce.
Microlearning courses instead break lessons into small parts, helping learners remember better and process information quickly.
It allows learners to learn at their own pace, on their preferred device, and according to their learning style.
Top 5 Formats for Bite-sized Learning
To get the most from bite-sized learning, choose the correct format.
Time needed: 2 minutes
- Infographics
- Microlearning
- Quizzes
- Short Videos
- Podcasts
Here are five formats that work well for microlearning:
Infographics
Infographics are a popular elearning method to help deliver bite-sized training content to an audience. It helps focus on vital points and visual representations of relevant information. Also, they are ideal for quick training courses.
Infographics are unique when presenting complex data in a visual format. People quickly grasp key information and understand how it applies to their lives.
Have you explored these tools to create infographics?
- Canva
- Piktochart
- Visme
- Infogram
- Venngage
- Adobe Illustrator
- Easel.ly
- Google Charts
- Tableau Public
- Animaker
There are three main types of infographics:
- Statistical
- Informational
- Hierarchical
So, each type offers ways to present data visually to help people better apply the information.
Microlearning
Microlearning is a condensed form of knowledge. It consists of small nuggets or bite-sized content capsules. Microlearning can be via online courses, mobile apps, social media posts, and more.
Also, you can send microlearning content to learners regularly (daily or weekly) and deliver it on any device. Popular content formats for microlearning include videos, audio, quizzes, simulations, and gamification.
Podcasts
These days, podcasts are a popular format for bite-sized learning. So, they can entertainingly share relevant information.
They introduce new information, revisit the material, and actively use concepts and skills. All of these help learners retain information better than in one long session. Besides, they can engage learners and move the material to long-term memory.
Given their flexibility, versatility, and wide range of uses, podcasts are an ideal format for bite-sized learning. It is also the current trend.
Quizzes
Questions are a form of quick learning that can impart training to employees. They share pertinent information to help with job-related tasks. Quizzes can also help assess employee knowledge, skills, and abilities.
To create impactful questions, use best practices when preparing quiz content. It includes pre-testing the questions to make sure they are accurate and easily understandable.
Additionally, use proven tools like questionnaires and surveys to find topics or skills that need further training.
Short Videos
Video is a great way to give learners with short, easily-digestible information. They focus on a single learning goal. Moreover, microlearning videos deliver highly engaging and interactive content to help promote better memory retention and a longer attention span.
So, there are many different types of microlearning videos. These videos include explainer, interactive, micro-lectures, whiteboard animations, and kinetic text animations.
Furthermore, microlearning videos are an effective way to impart training to employees. They share information they need quickly and efficiently. It can help organizations save time and money while delivering employee training.
Benefits of Bite-sized Learning
Here are some of the benefits:
- Improved retention
- Increased Engagement
- Flexibility
- Cost-Effective
- Personalization
- Easy to Update
- Better Outcomes
Bite-sized learning uses a blended approach to instruction and can lead to better learning results and business outcomes.
Learners quickly consume relevant content and close small knowledge or skill gaps. It also prevents learners from dealing with mental exhaustion, boredom, and burnout.
Moreover, it is budget-friendly and can increase the return on investment.
Furthermore, they can also help previously disconnected, disengaged, and demotivated students.
But, keep these cons in mind when preparing a bite-sized learning module.
- Lack of Depth
- Fragmented Learning
- Limited Interaction
- Overemphasis on Speed
- Potential for Distraction
All these cons easily outweigh the numerous benefits of bite-sized learning.
Tips for Making Bite-sized Learning Effective
When used effectively, bite-sized learning provides students with engaging, memorable learning experiences that foster retention and improve learning outcomes.
Also, aim to develop bite-sized lessons that are engaging, relevant, and meaningful for students. It involves animations, multimedia, and on-screen interactions to make the material more engaging.
Additionally, design bite-sized lessons that learners can complete quickly and easily between other tasks. This approach helps students focus on learning and develop skill retention.
Lastly, incorporate a modular approach in your planning process so learners can engage in small chunks of content over time.
How to implement this Learning method in your course
Use this roadmap as a checklist and successfully deliver your training.
| Steps | Action Plan |
| 1 | Define the course’s learning objectives. |
| 2 | Break down the objectives into smaller topics or modules. |
| 3 | Identify the crucial information or skills learners must know for each topic. |
| 4 | Create bite-sized learning content for each piece of important information or skill. |
| 5 | Organize the bite-sized content into a logical sequence. |
| 6 | Choose a platform to deliver the bite-sized content. |
| 7 | Develop assessments or quizzes to test learners’ understanding of each topic. |
| 8 | Integrate the bite-sized learning content and assessments into the course. |
| 9 | Motivate learners to complete each topic before moving on to the next one. |
| 10 | Evaluate the effectiveness of the bite-sized learning approach and make necessary improvements to enhance the learning experience. |
Roadmap for a successful bite-sized training deployment
Microlearning programs are an ideal way to bridge knowledge gaps and provide flashcards for subject matter that needs reinforcing.
Moreover, L&D professionals can cater to learners’ schedules and give training meeting their training needs.
Furthermore, micro-learning courses retain employees’ and students’ interest and deliver successful results.
Related Articles
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, bite-sized learning is the future of eLearning. In fact, according to Ray Jimenez, Ph.D., microlearning can reduce development costs by 50% and increase development speed by 300%. He mentions this in his book “Three-minute E-Learning.“
Moreover, 94% of Learning and Development professionals preferred bite-sized online modules¹.
Conclusion
Bite-sized learning is the future of eLearning. It reduces development costs, making it a perfect way for businesses to engage employees with new learnings.
Also, as millennials and Gen Z make up most of the workforce, traditional e-learning courses that offer lengthy lectures are no longer impactful.
Furthermore, Generation Alpha will explore this learning method and take it to new heights.
Whether learners are on desktops, smartphones, or tablets, micro-learning courses can share the perfect solution for busy schedules and information retention.
Explore the above-listed formats and choose the one that suits your learning needs.
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